Learn Japanese

aa, ee, un, saa = yes (informal)

abayo = casual goodbye, kind of like "see you"
abunai = dangerous, threatening
aburi = fried tofu
ahou = moron
ai = love
aisatsu ni = to greet, say hello to
aishiteru = I love you (romantic love)
aisuru = love, sweetheart, beloved
akari = light
aku = evil, wicked, bad, etc.
ana-ki = respectful word for "sister"
ane-ue = respectful word for "older sister"
ani-ue = respectful word for "older brother"
ano hi = "this day"
ano hito = literally "that person", exact meaning varies according to context
ano toki = back there, back then, at that time, etc.
anou = "well..."
ara/are = oh, or "huh?"; "Ara" is used by women, "Are" by men.
arigatou gozaimasu = thank you very much (arigatou = thanks, thank you)
arimasen/imasen = isn't ("arimashita" = was, were)
asagohan = breakfast; often shortened to "gohan"
atama = head
B
baka = idiot, fool, etc. (all-purpose insult)
bakaga = impossible
bakemono = monster
bangohan = dinner; evening meal
bento = a box lunch
betsu ni = a multi-purpose negative phrase, usually translated as "nothing" or "not really"
bishonen = pretty-boy(I prefer it as that anyways)/ beatiful boy (sometimes actually translated as "pretty"; the word itself is a
combination of "bi" = beautiful and "shounen" = boy. Same thing goes for bishoujo)
bishoujo = beautiful girl
bouzu = kid
budo = a set of goals/morals for martial artists; one use seems to be a philosophy that goes with your particular style, such as
"protect the weak" or "revitalize people" or something of that sort.
bushido = the "warrior's code", or code of honor among samurai.
busu = ugly girl (an insult)
C
chibi = little
chichi-oya = formal, respectful word for "father"
chikyuu = Earth (as in the planet)
chigau = different (can also be used as "no" as in "no, it's something different" or "that's wrong")
chisana = small (as in "small in size")

chotto matte = "wait a minute!" ("matte" = wait, "chotto" = for a short time)
clothing nouns: kimono, yukata (summer kimono), obi (sash), haori (coat), hanten (jacket), hakama (skirt pants), tabi (split-toed
socks), gi (short men's kimono), zori (sandals for kimono), geta (wooden sandals), manto (cloak)
D
daga = however/but
daijoubu = don't worry, I'm okay, I'll be allright, etc. "daijouka" is "are you okay?"
daikon = large Japanese radish
daimyo = fuedal lord; these people were the next rank above samurai in Japan's fuedal era and were the major landowners.
daisho = traditional pair of swords carried by samurai, consisting of a katana (long sword) and wakizashi (short sword)
daisuki desu/da = I love you. This has more emphasis than "suki desu/da" which means "I love you/I like you" (boyfriend/girlfriend
type love, not romantic marraige-type love). "daisuki" can also describe your favorite things.
dakara = so, therefore
damare = the command form of "be quiet", often translates as "shut up!" or "silence!"
dame = no (as in "don't do that!")
dare = who
de gozaru = a "polite phrase" that can be added to the ends of sentences. Only Himura Kenshin of Rurouni Kenshin uses this. It's a
very outdated, archaic form of the polite "de gozaimasu" and would almost be like someone walking up to you and saying stuff like
"thou art" and other Shakespearan-era English. You know what it means, but you would never use it in regular converstion.
Kenshin's just odd -_-;; but cool^^
desu = this has many uses in speech, mostly as a polite tag. It's derived from "de gozaimasu" and is somewhat less polite.
demo/datte = but
densetsu = legend, legendary
dewa = an interjection, has various meanings including "Then...","Well...","Now..." etc.
dim sum = pork buns (a Chinese dish)
do-iu koto da = "what do you mean?"
dojo = school (as in a training hall)
doki doki = a phrase meaning "sometimes/from time to time", also refers to a heartbeat
doko = where
domo = thank you; this is a short version of the full (i.e. very formal) version of "thank you very much" which is "domo arigatou
gozaimasu"
doozo = here you go, here you are (giving someone something)
doushite = why/why not?/how come, etc. "doushita" can mean "what's wrong?"
dou = how; "dou da?" is "how about it?"
E
eeto... = like saying "um..." or "erm...", that sort of thing
expletives: mou, che, chikuso, kuso, shimatta (all meaning darn, crap, etc.)
F
fuku = uniform
fureru = touch
furo = bath
futon = the thin, soft mattresses Japanese sleep on
fushigi = mystery, wonder, mysterious, etc.

G
gaijin = refers to any foreigner
gakkou = highschool
gambatte ne! = do your best!
genki da = cheer up, be well, take care, etc. ("genki" literally means energy)
gochisousama! = I'm finished! (with a meal)
gomen nasai = I'm sorry
H
haha-oya = respectful word for "mother"
hai = yes
hajime = beginning, start, the first time, etc.
hajimemashite = I'm pleased to meet you
hakubaikou = white plum (the scent and the flower)
han = half; examples are "hanbun" ("half of me" or "part of me") and "hanyou" ("half-demon"), "Han" also refers to the cutting edge of
a sword.
hanase = command form of "to release", often translates as "release me!" or "let me go!"
hanashi = as a noun it means "news, account, story", etc. It is also a form of the verb "to talk".
hayaku = means "faster", also translates as "hurry up" or "quickly" when used as a command.
hen = weird or strange
henshin = transform or change
hidoi = mean, cruel
hikari = light, energy (glare, gleam, ray)
hime = princess
himitsu = secret
hito = man, person
hitokiri = assassin ("hito"= man and "hito-kire" means "to slice", so "hitokiri" literally means "Man-Slicer" or "ManSlayer", hence why
it's an appropriate job title for an assassin ;)
hitomi = to see, eye
hitotsu no = a part of something (a, one, etc.)
honorifics: the Japanese "honorific" has no English equivalent. They are a way of showing your status in relation to another person
and so, depending on how they are used, they can be either respectful or insulting. In rank from highest respect to lowest they are:
-sama, -san, -dono, -kun, -chan. They are used as suffixes attached to the ends of words. There has been some debate amongst
myself and others about the exact usage of "-dono" and it seems to be inconsistent from anime to anime. It's an older honorific and
seems to imply that the speaker is in the service of another person...but this isn't always true in context. In any event, it actually
seems to be equal in rank to "-san", its usage is just on a case-by-case basis.
honto = really ("honto desu ka" = "really?")
houshi = priest
I
ichiban = first, the best, favorite, etc.
ie = house
ii = good, nice; the phrase "ii ne/na" means "it's all right"
iie, iya = no
iinazuke = fiancee
ikari = fury

ikenai = oh no!
iku = "to go", often you hear it as "ikuzo" meaning "let's go"
ima = now
imouto = younger sister
inochi = life
inu = dog
irrashimase! = welcome! (used in restaurants to greet customers)
itachi = weasel
itadakimasu = let's eat!, here's to good food, etc.
ite = ouch, ow
itte kimasu = "I'm taking off!" or "I'm leaving now!" ; "kimasu" is a casual form of the verb "to leave"
istumo = always, constantly, ever, etc. Just "itsu" is "when"
J
ja ne/ja na = see you later/see you then
ja matta/mattana = casual "goodbye"
-janai/-nai = a suffix, makes a word negative
janken = the Japanese version of "rock, paper, scissors", the phrase is "Janken, Janken, Pon!"
jibun = self, yourself/himself/herself
jikai = next time
jinchuu = Earthly justice (is also sometimes translated as "revenge")
jitsu wa = "actually..."
jou-chan = "little missy"
joudan janai ="this is no joke!" or "you've got to be kidding!", etc. "Joudan janai wa" is like "are you joking?" and such.
K
kakatte iru = depend
kakkoii! = "cool!"
kami = some common meanings for this word are "spirit" ("Kamisama" is God), "hair" and "paper"
kamiya = flower
kanai = wife
kanji = perception, feeling. Also refers to the Chinese characters used in Japanese writing.
kanojo = girlfriend
kao = face
kaoru = scent
kare/kareshi = literally "he", it's also used to refer to a boyfriend
kawaii/kawaiikune = cute/uncute
kaze = wind
keisatsu = police
ken = sword; there are many words for sword according to their type (usually determined by length). Examples: wattou (long battle
katana, usually greater than 30 inches in length), katana (generally 25-30 inches long), wakizashi (short sword), kodachi (short
sword between a wakizashi and katana in length), tanto (long dagger), kunai (short throwing knives), sakabatou (a fictional reversebladed sword), zanbatou (giant sword used to cut down both horse and rider), bokken (wooden sword), and shinai (bamboo practice
sword). The sheath or scabbard for a sword is called a "saya".
kenjutsu = swordsmanship
kenkaku = swordsman
kenshin = devotion, dedication; in kanji it reads "Heart of Sword"

keredo/kedo = though, although, but

ki/chi = the Asian concept of a life force or life spirit; it's mentioned a lot in martial arts anime. "Ken-ki" is used in Rurouni Kenshin in
reference to swords, and in Inuyasha "youki" is used to describe demon energy.
kimochi = feeling, emotion, pleasure
kiotsukete = be careful
kitsune = fox
kirei = pretty, lovely (can also be used as an affectionate nickname for someone)
kizu = wound (physical cut)
kodomo = child
koekeishiya = successor
koishii, koibito = beloved, lover, sweetheart, etc.
koi = love (also a kind of goldfish). "Koi" is one of those Japanese homonym words that has about a million different meanings, so
you hear it everywhere. The verb "kuru" which means "to come" is often used in a conjugated form which is "koi!" meaning "come
over here" or "come on".
koko = here (koko wa = "where am I?")
kokoro = heart, mind, soul, etc.
konbanwa = good evening
koneko = kitten
konnichiwa = hello, good afternoon
kono = this, however it has many meanings I think kore wa = this is, that's
korosu = kill
kotaeru = "to answer", you'll hear it in various forms in anime, often as the command "answer me!"
koto wa = thing, what, affair/matter
kotowaru = decline (to refuse do something, such as fight)
kowai = scared, fear, afraid
kudasai = please
M
maa, maa = "now, now" ; a phrase used to placate someone
maa na = I guess
maboroshi = means "illusion", as in a dream or illusion constructed by someone; figuratively it means "mystic" or "mystical".
machigainai = there's no mistake! (like when you recognize someone, or verify information)
mamoru = protect
masaka = of course not, impossible, it can't be, not really, etc.
massushiro = a phrase, means "clean and white"
mattaku = sheesh, yeesh, jeez, "oh for heaven's sake", etc. General expression of annoyance.
miko = priestess
minna = everyone
miru = to see
miso = Japanese soy-based soup
mizu = water
mochi = a Japanese dessert: rice dough (kind of marshmallow in texture) stuffed with ohagi (sweet bean paste)
moko-dono = son-in-law
mon = family crest, often seen on formal kimono.
mononoke = vengeful spirit
mooto = increases the amount of something. An example is "hayaku, hayaku, mooto hayaku" (a phrase from a "Spirited Away"
image song) which means "faster, faster and faster" but "mooto" doesn't mean "and"; it's simply increasing the amount of "hayaku"
mori = forest

moshi moshi = hello (on the phone)

mou ii = a phrase, means "no more" or "that's enough!"
mune = the dull edge of a Japanese sword. It also means "heart"
musume = daughter or young woman (in Rurouni Kenshin "itachi musume" = "weasel girl" or literally the daughter of a weasel) and
can be an insult in context
myuun = the sound a cat makes; cats also make a "nyaa nyaa" sound.
N
na ha = a very impolite and abbreviated way to ask someone their name. "O-namae wa" is standard-polite; if you want to be even
more formal you would use "O-namae wa nan to iimasu ka" or "O-namae wa nan to osshaimasu ka" (the latter is very polite ^^)
nakanaide = don't cry ("nakanaide kudasai" = please don't cry)
nanda/nande = why, what. "nanda to" is an extreme version of "what", sort of like "WHAT?!"
nandeste = what did you say?
nani = what
nani yatten no = what are you doing?
nani-mo = nothing
naruhodo = I see (as in "I understand")
naze = why (an extreme why, as in "why did you do that?!")
ne = right (as in "correct")
neko = cat
nezumi = mouse or rat
nibun = half
nigeru = run
nihon, nippon/nihongo = Japan/Japanese (language)
nikuma = pork buns
ningen = human
nidoto = never (as in "I'll never do that again")
no = serves several purposes, often as a particle, but also marks a possessive ("Watashi no inu" would be "My dog" for instance)
O
obasan = aunt
obaasan = grandmother. It's important to note that this word is very different from "obasan" above (which only has one "a" in romanji
or a short "a" sound in speech). The "a" sound in "obaasan" is held twice as long.
obaba = great-grandmother or a fairly rude way of saying "old woman"
obou = monk
oden = a mixed stew
ohagi = sweet bean paste
oi = "hey!"
oishii = delicious, tasty
ojisan = uncle, or "mister" when used by a non-relative. The Japanese have the habit of sometimes referring to strangers or
aquaintances with familial terms. This is one such example.
ojiisan = grandfather. Just as with "obasan" it's important to note the difference in spelling. You hold the "i" sound longer when you
want to say "grandfather" as opposed to "uncle".
okaa = mother. In speech this word is almost always used with an honorific. "Okaasama" is very respectful, "Okaasan" is general
respect (this is the usual form you hear), "Okaachan" is informal and is sort of like saying "mommy".
okari nasai = welcome home
okashira = commander or boss

okonomiyaki = Japanese "pizza" (it's similar to a pancake with sauce and other toppings added)
ohayou gozaimasu = good morning (just "ohayou" is like "morning!")
ohisashiburi = it's been a long time or "long time no see"
onna = woman
onegai = please (the full version is "onegai-shimasu" when you're being really polite; if used like a command I've seen it translated
as "I beg of you!")
oneesan = older sister
oni = ogre or demon
oniichan = older brother (-chan is informal, to be polite you'd say oniisan)
onigirii = rice ball
onsen = hot spring
ooji = prince
osuwari = the command form of "to sit" ; actually this is technically a dog command...
otaku = in Japan this words simply refers to a fan of anything, in America it's come to describe an fan of anime specifically.
otoko = man
otou = father. In speech, just as with "okaa", this word is almost always used with an honorific. "Otousama" is very respectful,
"Otousan" is general respect (this is the usual form you hear), "Otouchan" is informal and is sort of like saying "daddy".
otouto = younger brother
otto = husband
ougi = succession technique for a sword or martial arts school, literally means "deep act"
owari = "the end", as in the end of a show or story
oyaji = "old man", as in your dad
oyasumi nasai = good night
P
pacu = the sound a fish makes
pan = bread
particle: the Japanese "particle" refers to the short syllables (no, to, ni, mo, ha, ya, yo, wa, na, etc.) sprinked in Japanese sentences.
The meaning and uses of particles are many and varied. They most often serve as object markers, identifying the subject of the
sentence (first person pronouns are nearly always followed by a particle. Examples would be "watashi no", "sessha mo", etc.). They
also serve a function similar to English preposition "filler" words such as: of, and, the, from, to, etc. To understand particles you need
a Japanese grammar dictionary.
piyo = the sound a bird makes
R
rei = soul
rounin = masterless samurai
rurouni = vagabond or wanderer (it's important to note that this word was made up by the creator of Rurouni Kenshin, combining
"rounin" (masterless samurai) and "rurou" (vagabond). It doesn't actually exist in the Japanese language)
ryu = school or style (for example, a sword style). It also means "dragon".
S
sakura = cherry blossom
samurai = Japan's ancient warrior class (one step above peasants), officially abolished at the start of the Meji era (1868)
sasuga ha = "nothing less from", as when someone lives up to his/her reputation or does something cool that you expected
sayounara = farewell (as in "goodbye forever" or for a long time)

seiyuu = voice actor/actress

sen = a breakdown of Japanese currency
sensei, shishou = teacher, master
senshi = soldier
sempai = upperclassmen, predecessor; essentially someone who has studied or been there before you.
shakkin = debt (money)
shihondai = assistant master
shikashi = however/but
shinde = command form of "shinu", which is the verb "to die"
shinji = believe, can also mean "hope"
shinjitsu = truth
shinpai = worry
shogun = warlord
shoji = the sliding rice paper doors in Japanese houses
shounen = boy
shoujo = girl
sonna = such
soo = so (the one word that's the same in Japanese and English)
sore = that
soredemo = however/but
soro soro = soon, now
soshite = and
sou ka = I see or "do I?" (the ka indicates a question)
sou na = no, as in "no, that can't be!" or "no way!"
sou desu ne = yes it is; "sou sou" can mean "oh yeah", and "sou" on its own can also mean "yes"
so-yo = that's true, that's right! (usually pronounced "soi-you")
subete = all, everything
sugoi! = awesome!, cool!, wow!, etc.
suhama = rice cake
sukoshi = literally "to a small degree"; usual translations: a bit, few, slight, slightly, little, some, any
sumanu/sumanai/sumimasen = I'm sorry (formal)
suru = to do; "nani o suru?" = "what are you doing?"
T
tabun = probably
taberu = to eat (verb)
-tachi = when added to things, makes them plural ("hito-tachi" = "folk, people" for example). When used with first and second person
pronouns -tachi can make words that mean we/our and "you guys". Ore/Boku/Watashi-tachi all mean "we/our" and "Omeatachi"
means "you guys", essentially referring to a group of people (see notes on pronoun use above).
tadaima = I'm home, I'm back, etc.
taichou = captain, commander
taisetsu na = important, beloved (to/of someone)
tamago = egg
tamashi = soul
tanuki = raccoon (the Japanese raccoon dog, actually)
taousu = defeat (in battle)
tasukete = help
tataku = to hit, beat, or knock. Variations are "tatakau" (battle or fight) and "tatakai" (this is the command form of "to fight")

tatami = the mats that cover Japanese floors

tatta = conjugated form (it means "I/ You/ He.. stood") of the verb "to stand up" which is "tatsu"
tattaka = fight/battle
tempura = deep-fried vegetables
tenchuu = divine or Heavenly justice
tenshi = angel
to = means "and" when linking two words
tori = bird, also refers to a chicken (tori no atama = "chicken head"; from Rurouni Kenshin)
tsubasa = wings
tsuee = strong, as in "he's strong"
tsugi = next
tsuki = moon (as in the satellite)
tsuzuku = to be continued
tsuyoi = strong, powerful
U
udon = a kind of Japanese noodle
unmei = fate or destiny
usagi = rabbit
urasai! = "shut up!" or just "be quiet"
ureshii = happy
uso = lie
W
wai! = yay!
wakaru/wakatta/wakarimashita = various commonly used forms of "to understand", they mean "I understand, I know, I get it", etc.
When talking to a person who is higher ranked than you (or if you just want to be very polite) you say "kashikomarimashita"
wakaranai = negative form of the verb; means "I don't understand, I don't get it", etc.
wan = the sound a dog makes
writing: The Japanese written system is very complicated and consists of three separate scripts that are used together: Hiragana,
Katakana, and Kanji.
Hiragana is the Japanese native script and consists of 46 basic characters. Hiragana is a syllabary rather than an alphabet (ka, ki,
ko, ku, etc.) so English words cannot be neatly transcribed into Hiragana or vice versa. "Romanji" is the Japanese term for native
words written in the English alphabet. Several systems exists for transcribing Japanese words into English script, the most common
of which is the Hepburn system.
Katakana is also 46 characters and has the same sounds as Hiragana, but is used primarily for writing foreign words and for
emphasis (similar to the way we use bold or italic characters).
Kanji are Chinese characters that have been adapted for the Japanese language. There are literally thousands of different Kanji, and
much of Japanese is written in them. Kanji are often used for proper nouns (such as names and places) and also distinguish
between homonyms (which are very common in Japanese).
Y
yahari/yappari = literally "as expected"; usally translated as: as I thought, just as I suspected, you really are, can it be that you're?,
etc.
yakisoba = pan-fried noodles ("soba" are buckwheat noodles)
yakusoku = promise

yamete/yamero = stop ("yamete" is feminine, "yamero" is masculine)

yare yare = oh well, "oh brother", etc.
yatta! = he/she/I did it!
yatto = finally
yen = Japanese money; although the exact exchange rate varies day by day
yo = just as in English, this is a really casual greeting. As a particle in Japanese speech, "yo" adds emphasis to a word
yokai = "roger!"
yokatta = an expression of relief, usually translates as "I'm so glad" or "thank goodness!"
yoshi! = all right, let's go, let's do it!
youma/youkai = demon
yowai = weak
yume = dream
yuurei = ghost
yuki = snow
yurusenai! = "I won't allow/permit it!", "I can't forgive this!", etc. "Yurusu" means to forgive, pardon, etc.
Z
zettai! = absolutely!, definitely! This phrase can be translated many ways actually, and can also be used as empahsis to make
another word seem stronger.